Bumbles - 3ft/3miles

Steve_gts · May 30, 2012

Hi,

I've a friend with Bumbles in a bird box overlooking the lawn where the kids play, so she's a bit worried about them being so close. I said I would move them for her, but was wondering if anyone knows much about how they find their nest site.

I'm planning to do it late evening, block the hole, move it down the end of her garden to the veggie patch, open and run! Then it occurred to me that the 3ft/3mile rule could apply to them too, does anyone know?

Cheers,
Steve

victor meldrew · May 30, 2012

I would imagine the 3 yard rule applies but I'm led to believe that the forage range of the bumblebee is much les than three miles

.
How high up is the bird box ? If over head (jumping) height of the kids there shouldn't be a conflict . Bumble bees react to direct interference such as poking ones finger in the entrance or tapping/knocking on the side of the box .
Normal activity by humans is largely ignored .
VM

susbees · May 30, 2012

Screening to make them fly up?

susbees · May 30, 2012

victor meldrew said:
Normal activity by humans is largely ignored .
VM

The colony at the cricket club under the pavilion did just that...in spite of 22 raucous teenage boys clattering about....

Steve_gts · May 30, 2012

It's quite high up, but the tree is used as a goal post, so the chances of thuds on the tree, which isn't particularly sturdy, are pretty much guaranteed. It's a case of me moving them soon or I expect they will end up with wasp killer or the likes being sprayed in there.

madasafish · May 30, 2012

I have just rescued a small colony of bumbles from the bird box on a garden shed where the children/location made them extremely aggressive..they stung me on the lip when I approached within 3 metres to have a look.. (no damage done to me).. Householder was very worried as they were so aggressive.

Blocked the entrance,# removed bird box ( leverage with hive tool/stone chisel) and transported 3.5 miles. Very happy flying around.

# at 8.30pm to minimise flying bees being left behind..

Still aggressive tho' if you approach too close.

Summerslease · May 30, 2012

In my experience the bumble most likely to inhabit nest boxes is the Tree Bumble Bee, Bombus hypnorum. It is known for being more aggressive than most species when defending its nest. They can be moved safely by taping over the hole in the evening, and don't seem to mind how far they are moved. Don't tip the box though as their honey is stored in upright open topped cells and can be spilled.

hiveabee · May 30, 2012

Yeah I agree, I went out to a swarm that was reported to my branch of the beekeepers. When I got to the house I asked the house owner where the swarm was. He told me that "they are in my bird box on the side of the garage". So I went with Him, I had a look and just as I thought they was bumblebees. I told the Gentleman this and then told Him that he was doing His bit for British wild life by leaving them be and could probably move them when they shut down for winter. He was then delighted, but as I was doing my talk one of the bees flew right for me and stung me on the nose LOL. I can tell you they hurt a lot more than our honey bees.